They've drafted much better than we have. Most of our draft picks in recent years (especially on offense) have been utter failures.
Comparing the past 6 drafts, with the clear hits underlined:
2009:
- Denver: Knowshon Moreno (12), Robert Ayers (18), Alfonzo Smith (37), Darcel McBath (48), Richard Quinn (64), David Bruton (114), Seth Olsen (132), Kenny McKinley (141), Tom Brandstater (174), Blake Schlueter (225)
- Patriots: Patrick Chung (34), Ron Brace (40), Darius Butler (41),
Sebastian Vollmer (58), Brandon Tate (83), Tyrone McKenzie (97), Rich Ohrnberger (123), George Bussey 170, Jake Ingram (198), Stryer Sulak (199), Myron Pryor (207),
Julian Edelman (232), Darryl Richard (234)
2010:
- Denver:
Demaryius Thomas (22), Tim Tebow (25),
Zane Beadles (45), JD Walton (80),
Eric Decker (87), Perrish Cox (137), Oric Olsen (183), Syd'Quan Thompson (225), Jammie Kerlew (232)
- Patriots:
Devin McCourty (27),
Rob Gronkowski (42), Jermaine Cunningham (53), Brandon Spikes (62) (+/-), Taylor Price (90),
Aaron Hernandez (113), Zoltan Mesko (150), Ted Larsen (205), Thomas Welch (208), Brandon Deaderick (247), Kade Weston (248), Zac Robinson (250) (Hernandez was a clear hit at the level he was drafted; no one anticipated the level of issues that would later arise)
2011:
- Denver:
Von Miller (2), Rahim Moore (45), Orlando Franklin (46) (+/-), Nate Irving (67), Quinton Carter (108),
Julius Thomas (129), Mike Mohamed (189), Virgil Green (204), Jeremy Beal (247).
- Patriots: Nate Solder (17) (+/-), Ras-I Dowling (33), Shane Vereen (56) (+/-), Stephen Ridley (73) (+/-), Ryan Mallett (74), Marcus Cannon (138), Lee Smith (159), Markell Carter (194), Malcolm Williams (219)
2012:
- Denver: Derek Wolfe (36) (+/-), Brock Osweiler (57), Ronnie Hillman (67), Omar Bolden (101), Philip Blake (108), Malik Jackson (137),
Danny Trevathan (188)
- Patriots:
Chandler Jones (21),
Dont'a Hightower (25), Tavon Wilson (48), Jake Bequette (90),
Nate Ebner (197),
Alfonzo Dennard (224), Jeremy Ebert (235) (some may disagree about Ebner)
2013:
- Denver:
Sylvester Williams (28), Montee Ball (58), Kayvon Webster (90), Quanterus Smith (146), Tavares King (161), Vinston Painter (173), Zac Dysert (234)
- Patriots:
Jamie Collins (52), Aaron Dobson (59), Logan Ryan (83), Duron Harmon (91), Josh Boyce (102), Michael Buchanan (226), Steve Beauharnais (235) (plus pick part of the LeGarrette Blount trade)
2014:
- Denver: Bradley Robey (31), Cody Latimer (56), Michael Schofield (95), Lamin Barrow (156), Matt Paradis (207), Corey Nelson (242)
- Patriots: Dominique Easley (29), Jimmy Garoppolo (62), Bryan Stork (105), James White (130), Cameron Fleming (140), Jon Halapio (179), Jemea Thomas (206), Jeremy Gallon (244)
Comments:
- 2014 is obviously too early to judge, and probably 2013, though Sylvester Williams and Jamie Collins are both solid starters.
- I underscored players that I felt their respective teams would clearly pick over that spot, or even pick higher. I gave +/- to players who were solidly productive for the level at which they were drafted, but who weren't clear-cut "likely to be redrafted by their team if they could do it over".
- Von Miller at #2 overall was a pick that should have been and was a home run.
I personally don't see a huge drafting advantage to Denver. They made some excellent picks on all 3 days (Miller, D. Thomas, Beadles, Decker, J. Thomas, Trevathan). They had some major early misses (Tebow, Moreno, Ayers, and Alfonzo Smith, for whom they traded a 1st round pick). But I'm not sure I see more hits than for the Pats (McCourty, Gronk, Jones, Hightower), especially given that they didn't have nearly as many early picks for the Broncos.